When it comes to confidential data, the focus today is on safeguarding against cyber data breaches. But information security is not just a high-tech problem.

In fact, a recent cyber assessment by the Office of Management and Budget showed that one of the biggest information security risks for federal agencies is paper. One quarter of reported incidents in 2014 involved the possible mishandling of hard copies or printed materials.

Here are surprising facts about paper ‘insecurity’ in the workplace

Despite paperless office forecasts, Ponemon research showed that over half of a company’s sensitive information is on paper.

The average office worker uses 10,000 sheets of copy paper every year, according to the 2015 State of the Industry Information Security report by Shred-it.

Consider that “only our most sacred and personal documents ever make it off the screen and onto paper,” stated a record.net article. And, even as employers switch to digital, many just double up, keeping paper backups as well, according to a reader comment at hrdailyadvisor.com.

All physical records containing private information should be locked in a secure location; backups should be encrypted and off-site.

The new dumpster divers

A new environmentally-conscious dumpster diver is drawing attention to everything found in dumpsters. These people are garbage picking for resalable equipment and food. But you can bet they find confidential information too.

Intact documents should never be put into the garbage. Replace garbage bins with special locked security consoles for disposing of confidential documents.

Other office equipment

According to the State of the Industry report, paper remains a core component of office life, and there are still printers, fax machines, photocopiers and other devices in offices that increase breach risk.

100% NAID CertifiedNorth American Shred-it locations are NAID Certified for mobile document destruction, adhering to the stringent security practices and procedures established by the National Association for Information Destruction.